Hermitage Rouge, J-L Chave 2013

Still in barrel at the time of this tasting, the 2013 Hermitage will certainly be one of the wines of the vintage. Offering classic, granite-induced notes of smoked dark fruits, graphite, searing minerality and bouquet garni, this sensational Hermitage has medium to full-bodied richness, beautiful mid-palate density and building tannin, all with the freshness and purity of the vintage. Reminiscent of a more backwards, tight, focused and granite-driven year (I asked Jean-Louis if there was a similar vintage he could recall, he commented that he couldn't think of one), it has solid ripeness in its aromas and flavors, good sweetness in its tannin, and a great finish. I suspect it will need 7-8 years of cellaring and keep for 20-25 years or more.

Tasted blind. The palest of these three Syrah/Shirazes in this flight of 2013s. Sweet, spicy with herbal notes. There's a certain softness to this wine and it finishes dry – French? Very long and silky-textured. Intense. Surprisingly forward.